Pros outweigh cons when desexing your dog
ADVANTAGES OF DESEXING YOUR DOG
Surgical sterilisation is a permanent, safe and hasslefree method of suppressing the urges to mate or fight.
It allows other things to become more important, such as obedience, retrieving, hunting or just plain having fun.
Statistics have shown that desexed animals are less susceptible to disease, live longer and fit into society better.
The nature of a desexed dog does not change at all, but it can improve bonding between you and your pet.
FOR MALE DOGS
Desexing alters certain male behaviours but the changes are good. Most neutered males:
Don’t feel the need to urinemark their territories. Have less of a wandering urge.
Are less aggressive, without losing guarding ability or natural inquisitiveness.
FOR FEMALE DOGS (BITCHES)
Desexing your bitch will not change her nature at all and it will prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Contrary to popular opinion, she doesn’t need to have a litter of puppies first.
If it is done early, the chances of mammary cancer developing are reduced. The longer bitches are left entire, the more susceptible they become to contracting uterus infections, which can be fatal.
There are drugs you can use to stop bitches coming into season (available from your vet), but they need to be repeated every 67 months and a small proportion of animals develop side effects. This method is also more expensive in the long run.
DISADVANTAGES OF NEUTERING YOUR DOG
Perhaps the only disadvantage of desexing is that your dog may put on weight. As long as you are aware of this, you can take steps to prevent it.